Smith-Rebrasse & Fielding-Vera preview and predictions

By Gavin Duthie - 06/26/2015 - Comments

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By Gav Duthie: Eddie Hearn has dubbed tonight’s card at the Liverpool Echo Arena ‘All or nothing’ for Liverpudlian duo Callum Smith and Rocky Fielding. Matchroom promotions has them on a collision course as Hearn has already penciled them in to face each other on September 26 for the British title recently vacated by Paul Smith. Both fighters need to focus on the tasks at hand as they have tough assignments this weekend for Fielding in particular.

Current Super Middleweight rankings

Rocky Fielding

WBC Unranked
WBA #15
IBF #7
WBO #15

Calum Smith

WBC #3
WBA Unranked
IBF #13
WBO Unranked

Rocky Fielding 20-0 (11) v Brian Vera 23-9 (14)

Of the two Liverpool and British prospects Smith is generally considered the more talented. Despite this Fielding has arguably been handed the tougher assignment. Vera’s record is deceiving. He has lost his last 3 fights (4 if you include his KO defeat to Gabriel Rosado in BKB). Vera should be considered a gatekeeper fighter as opposed to a journeyman because he only ever operates at the highest level. Vera has good wins over former contender Serhiy Dzinziruk, he has beaten former WBC light middleweight champion Sergio Mora twice and he also stopped current WBO middleweight champion Andy Lee in 7 rounds. He should have arguably got the nod against Julio Cesar Chavez Jnr in their first fight also. He always comes to fight which will please Fielding. Rocky likes to fight toe-to-toe but he doesn’t have huge punching power. Vera has great experience fighting in the pocket and can take a punch so this fight is likely to go the distance. If there is any chance of an upset this is the fight to give it but if the fight is close Fielding will likely get the decision.

Fielding UD 12

Callum Smith 16-0 (12) v Christopher Rebrasse 23-3-3 (6)

Fortunately for Callum Smith Rebrasse couldn’t punch himself out of a wet paper bag. He is a decent technician with a good chin and engine however and will likely take Smith the full 12 rounds. Rebrasse has obviously been chosen as a benchmark performance to compare and contrast against George Groves. Groves beat Rebrasse on points last year and Smith will attempt to better that. With Callum’s high #3 rating with the WBC Hearn will want to get an immediate title shot with Groves if he can beat Badou Jack to win the crown. Groves is likely to be interested as he looks to rebuild his image domestically.

Smith UD 12

Also in action is Tony Bellew against Lubos Suda and Martin Murray in his super middleweight debut against George Beroshvilli in what should be straight forward contests.



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